A Perilous Passion by Elizabeth Keysian – a Review

Amazon / B&N / Kobo / BAM / Book Depository

Description:
Miss Charlotte Allston is unwittingly ensnared in a sinister web of traitors and spies when she is literally swept off her feet by a handsome stranger on the beach. Fiercely determined to redeem his honor after a humiliating military defeat, the Earl of Beckport is living incognito, hunting a band of smugglers at the center of a French plot to invade England.

The enigmatic Miss Allston instantly becomes a person of interest to the earl…and not just in the smuggling case. Passion flares swift and hot between the two. But when her attempts to help with his secret mission only endanger it, he must question where her loyalty truly lies.

Stunned by the sudden revelation that the woman he is falling for is the daughter of a notorious smuggler, Beckport feels duty-bound to report her. But then Charlotte is captured by the very traitor he’s after, forcing the earl to decide between redemption…and love.

Review:

A Perilous Passion by Elizabeth Keysian begins with Charlotte Allston walking along the shore one minute and being plucked from her feet in the next.  Seems a stranger who observed her on the beach thought she was in need of assistance, even though she was perfectly fine.  After they part ways, it doesn’t take Charlotte long to wonder just what the handsome stranger is up to.  The next day, she heads out to snoop around to see if she can find out just who he is, only to find herself swept up in another encounter with said stranger, whose name is Rafe “Seabourne”.  He insists on escorting Charlotte home, even though she tells him repeatedly it’s not necessary.

Once they arrive at her home, he introduces himself to Charlotte’s overbearing mother.  Her mother almost immediately knows Rafe’s true identity: Rafe Pomeroy, the Earl of Beckport.  He tries to deny it, but fails miserably.  Rafe finally comes clean about who he is, but insists they must keep his identity a secret.  What follows is a story of espionage and danger where Charlotte insists she help Rafe with his secret mission, which often lands them in trouble.

A Perilous Passion has a good plot.  Charlotte’s character was nicely written.  I liked her tenacity and her loyalty.  Rafe was nicely written as well, even though, I have to admit, the back story of why he was trying to redeem himself made me laugh a little.  However, I did feel that their chemistry was a little lacking and the story was a bit slow in places.  With that said, this was an enjoyable read.   Rafe’s sense of honor and Charlotte’s tenacity kept me turning the pages.  The humor was also a plus.  If you’re a fan of this genre, you’ll  enjoy the book as well.

Reviewed by Vickie

Copy provided by Publisher